My sweet Libby Lou...

It is with sad heart that I have to relay the passing of one of my beloved friends, Libby.  I first saw her when she was about 6-8 weeks old, on the shoulder of one of the technicians at the large veterinary hospital in which I worked at the time.  I thought she was the cutest kitten I had ever seen!  Fast forward a few months, and I see her once more - again on the shoulder of the tech.  I mentioned how she had grown and how cute she was, and the tech replied "do you want her?".  I was stunned.  Turns out she didn't have the greatest home life.  She was terrified of the large dog in the house, and spent all of her time hiding under a recliner.  Also the tech's husband didn't like her, and he wanted her gone.  So I took her!  I brought her home, without telling my husband she was coming, and just silently put her in his lap.  He didn't say a word... just shook his head.  Libby was such a sweet girl - she was very affectionate, loved to be pet and held, and slept on my pillow every night.

A few years ago we found out she was developing mild kidney disease (extremely common in older cats), and started her on medicines and subcutaneous fluids (under the skin) at home.  Her levels were stable for several years, and she felt good, had a good appetite, etc.  Over the last few months I have noticed she was losing muscle tone, but she was 15 and very sedentary, so it didn't surprise me.  Last week her appetite dropped off, and I called on Thursday to make an appointment to take her into the hospital I used to work at for a check up.  Well over the weekend she really declined, didn't eat anything, and I could tell she felt terrible.  Monday morning, on my birthday, I had her kidney values checked, and unfortunately they were so high the machines couldn't even read them.  Several of her kidney markers were extremely elevated, and she had a grim prognosis.  I elected to have her euthanized at that point, as it was the right thing to do for her.  She cuddled in my lap until the time came, and she passed peacefully.  My kids were devastated when they found out, as she was their favorite cat of all of them,  but they knew it may happen as I had prepared them over the weekend, letting them know she was very sick and didn't feel well.

It's been strange without her - I keep expecting to see her in her favorite places, and my pillow feels empty and silent at night without her cuddling against my hair purring.  But I know she is better now - she doesn't feel bad any more, and that's the most important thing.  I am grateful for all the years of happiness we had together, and I will love and miss her always.

Chanel Ciel de Nuit

Chanel Ciel de Nuit... what a beauty.  I only break out my really hard to find polishes on special occasions (usually), and I count birthdays as one of those excuses to use them!  In fact it's been since 2008 that I've worn this one.  I was lucky enough to get this one from a very sweet generous friend, and I will be forever grateful and humbled (thank you my friend!).  Anyway - we all know the look... but this is the iconic polish that epitomizes "night sky" (appropriately named Ciel de Nuit - Sky of the Night).  Application was very good for such an old color - not thick or goopy at all - I'm impressed it has kept it's consistence for this long!  Minimally streaky at 1 coat, it evened out nicely and I used 3 for opacity and depth of color. It has silver and blue glitter suspended in a deep navy base, and is just beautiful in all lighting, but really shines in direct sunlight.  It is a glorious color, and has spawned many imitations (most notoriously Essie's Starry Starry Night).  But my favorite, and I think even better than CdN, is Orly's Silent Night.  Enjoy!    >^..^<

Zoya Toni

Zoya Toni is a great plum creme from last fall that I just had to break out again.  Application was fantastic - a highly pigmented creme that covered completely and evenly in just 2 coats with no cuticle drag or streakiness.  I love Zoya cremes.  :)   A couple of things that make these pics of it not-so-great...  1) my Poshe needed to be thinned (which is done now!) and even though I wrapped the tips I still got shrinkage that looks like tip wear, 2) I had to file the length down a bit... 3) water spots that I didn't even see with the naked eye!  Ugh.  But... you get the idea of color - it's fabulous!   Enjoy -     >^..^<

Misa Office Polish-tics

Misa Office Polish-tics is a lovely blue-toned grey creme that is a few years old now, but I don't recall when it came out.  Application was great, as with most Misa's (very under-appreciated brand, IMO) - nice richly pigmented creme that was easy to apply and covered completely in 2 coats with no streakiness.  I really enjoy colors like this - very calming and seemed appropriate for the cloudy day we were having (although the sun did peek out for one picture!).    Pardon the shrinkage at the edges of the cuticles - I didn't realize my Poshe needed to be thinned so desperately!  (My bottle had a cracked neck when it arrived, so I transferred it into an empty Poshe bottle.)  Enjoy -     >^..^<

SH Ruby Slipper

SH Ruby Slipper is an old color from the Diamond Strength line.  I don't recall where I got this one, and I have no idea how old it is, but I've had it for many years.  It's a slightly muted rose-tinged red with gold glitter, and it is just lovely.  I love how it looks under the halogen spotlights in my kitchen, but as beautiful as it is, it gets a little washed out in direct sunlight as you can see in the last few pics.  Application was great - smooth and even, with no streaking.  I used 3 coats here for opacity and depth of color, topped with Poshe as I believe SH has been b3f for quite some time.  Enjoy -     >^..^<